Rapper turned confessed killer G-Dep was unaware his 1993 shooting victim had died before revealing his crime.
Over the weekend, a guilt-ridden G-Dep (Trevell Coleman) went to New York’s 25th Precinct to confess to shooting 32-year-old John Henkel three times in the chest with a .40 caliber handgun. The shooting was a botched robbery that G-Dep attempted as an 18 years old.
The former Bad Boy emcee did not know the victim, and was stunned for find out that he was being charged with murder after his story matched up with the facts of the case.
“I was surprised — for some reason, I really didn’t think that he died,” Dep told the New York Post from his jail cell. “When they told me, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going home after this.’ ”
Even though he was not aware he killed his victim, the rapper admitted his crime haunted him. His rap career fell apart due to heavy substance abuse, including the drug PCP. Spiritually, he began to wonder if his life’s path was simply karma from the shooting. Ignoring the objections of his mother and girlfriend, with whom he has three kids, G-Dep moved forward with his confession, believing it would provide “closure” for his guilt.
“I told my mom and my girlfriend that I wanted to confess, and they both told me to leave it in the past,” he explained to the Post. “[My girlfriend] is pretty peeved…I started to wonder if all the bad things that happened to me in my life were karma for what I did . . . you start to think ‘My happiness is because of someone else’s sadness.’ I thought that if I turned myself in, it might give me closure.”
G-Dep’s closure comes in the form of a second degree murder charge from Manhattan prosecutors, which carries a penalty of life in prison. When asked if he now regrets his decision, G-Dep remained steadfast that he made the right choice from a moral standpoint.
“People in [jail] don’t understand how I can confess. I’m just trying to get right with God,” G-Dep concluded.
At press time, a trial date has not been announced.
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I had a discussion over the weekend about whether I would confess to a crime that was eating me up inside. The deciding factor would be my quality of life. Who depends on me? Wife? Children? I concluded I’d make my penance through prayer and through a life that tried every possible thing to make amends (especially speaking to kids who may also go down my path). That’s what his family tried to impart on him, and I definitely understand why they are so upset. To them, G-Dep made a selfish decision that will severely affect more lives (his children, girlfriend etc.).
I’m more surprised that he didn’t think he killed his victim. Three shots to the chest, at close range, with a .40 caliber weapon doesn’t have greats odds of survival. As I said in my last article, I respect G-Dep’s decision. You can almost tell from his words he feels a great weight lifted. In his mind, his life wasn’t worth anything with this burden hanging over him. It’s not a decision I would have personally made, but everyone must define their own moral code.
My condolences go out to the family of John Henkel. We’re so used to murder in our communities. We rarely bat an eyelash when we read about it, or even when our artists revel in it with their rhymes. Let this be clear reminder of how many lives a senseless murder can permanently alter.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 